Breastfeeding is recognized as the ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants for optimal growth and development, conferring physiological, immunological, and psychological benefits to mother and child. Though breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, only about 60% of women in the United States initiate breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Several factors are known to contribute to a woman’s decision to breastfeed, including the influence of hospital policies. As part of the planning process for the implementation of a new Lactation Coordinator into a large healthcare system in the southeastern United States, this study used the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as guiding criteria to assess the status of lactation support at an urban, university-affiliated hospital and its 16 outlying clinics. Through in-person and telephone interviews, and a structured questionnaire, 29 out of 35 (83%) healthcare providers identified strengths and weaknesses of the existing system of lactation support. Results of the needs assessment permitted identification of potential landmines that could thwart a smooth transition for the system’s incoming lactation coordinator. Furthermore, the findings were used to create a series of recommendations for the new coordinator and for the hospital administration that were designed to sidestep these landmines, and to improve the quality of lactation support provided to patients. The process employed in this study may be of use to other hospitals interested in improving the quality of lactation assistance provided to its patients, particularly as demand for such services continues to grow.
Learning Objectives: Upon participation in this session, the learner will be able to: 1. Develop a needs assessment designed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a healthcare system's lactation assistance program. 2. Evaluate the results of the needs assessment. 3. Create a set of recommendations for administrators and incoming lactation staff to ensure a smooth transition to an improved lactation support program.
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Access and Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Study relates to lactation services provided through the UNC Healthcare System in North Carolina, but I was not planning to identify them specifically.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I worked as a consultant for this organization, and may seek to do the same this summer, however it is not related to any product. They are aware of, and supported this study.